The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-12-08

womanly. too. the way she thought of
others. her grandfather and the cred
itors. l didn't think little Polly had it
in her."
If he had seen little Polly at this min
ute. he might not have thought she had
so much in her. She had slipped noise
lessly into the great handsome front
parlor. and dropped down on one of the
low, cushioned divans, ''all in a heap"
as the girls say. For two whole hours
she kept herself hid in the parlor. no
body knowing she was in the house;
and. in that lone. silent time. when she
heard only the tinkling little bronze
clock and her own irregular breathing.
something happened to Polly, almost
like what happens to the moth when it
comes out of the cocoon. 1t happened
10 the Polly that was hid away inside
of the Polly that everybody knew. And
who shall say that this great, startling
change of fortune was not sent TO keep
that inside Polly from being smothered
and dwarfed by the outside Polly?
When she went to find her mother
and grandfather, it was with bright
face and steady voice.
A few days after this Polly brought
up a dainty little breakfast to her
mother. who was quite overcome by
their disaster, as was the poor old
grandfather.
Come, mother" Polly said, blithely,
Il made these biscuit; and you've got
to eat two. What good thing it was
that you had that hobby about teach
ing me to do things! Doesn't it fit in
nicely now?"
at was theory of your fathers"
answered the mother, in a depressed
tone. Il promised him. when you were
wee baby in long clothes, that l would
have you taught to do everything that
women can do, and, of course, after
his death. felt the more bound to do
it. But don't know why you should
make so much of it now. You can't
support yourself making biscuits"
Il don't know" said Polly, care
lessly. a don't know" she repeated
more earnestly, springing up and walk
ing about the room. as if her mind were
not following her footsteps.
In few weeks the Rutherfords had
moved into a small downtown house.
with all the available rooms 'let;" and
poor old Mr.. Rutherford was trying
feebly to discharge the duties of a
small-salaried office into which his
friends had put him.
POlly's mother seemed quite crushed
at first; but the girl herself was buoy
ant with hope, as every young girl has
a right to be, no matter what her style
of living is or is not.
Thanks to Mr.. McIlwainc, she had
her hundred dollars now to invest in
an enterprise on which she had set her
heart far more than it had ever been
set on the pearls. And along with the
hundred dollars she had also to invest
in it youth, health, good sense. brave
spirit and proud independence. What
else needed she for happy and sue
cessful life?
Her enterprise began with a visit.
basket in hand, TO seven or eight of the
best city hotels, and as many of the
restaurants. To all of them she offered
daily, weekly or tri-weekly supply OF
her dainty little beaten biscuit. such as
she had learned to make down in East
ern Virginia, from famous old cook.
who had in slave days belonged to her
fathers family. She was successful
almost up to her own expectations, and
far beyond her mothers; and her Ella
ton could not but infuse some hope into
that lady's weak spirit
eve must have a new name for your
biscuit, Miss" said one wise old res
taurant keeper. What shall we call
them?"
Call them." said Polly, hesitating
and laughing. ''call them the Polly
wolly-winkum biscuit"
The Polly-wolly -winkum biscuit got
to be the fashion that winter. After
hiring one good cook at what seemed
ruinous wages, a second and third had
TO be engaged; but Polly put on her
great kitchen apron, tied up her abund-
ant hair into high knot, and spent
four hours of every day in her kitchen
herself. No plea of other engagements.
no pretence that the cooks would do as
we'll without her. no tempting offer of
sleigh-rides. no fattering invitations of
any sort. could make the little mistress
of the bakery break her rule or neglect
her work. Naturally the biscuit grew
in favor.
The last time l visited the Polly
wolly-winkuln bakery. it had moved its
quarters to al large, well-lighted kitchen.
with classroom attached. Yes, a
classroom; for Polly had agreed to
teach cooking to a number of rich
mems daughters ut good round price
per girl. And. not to lose the chance
of doing good because she was poor.
she selected dozen poor girls. to
whom she gave another hour d week.
without pay.
Mr.. Paul McIlwaine was my cicerone
on the occasion of my visit; and, when
l had admired and praised until the
English language was exhausted, he
said. gravely:
Nevertheless a suit is pending in
court against the Pollv-wolly-winkum
bakery. 1t is charged that Miss Ruth
erford Is dishonesty withholding from